Lagerstroemia plant named &#39;lipipetz&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Lagerstroemia  cultivar named ‘Lipipetz’ which is characterized by the combination of a compact, freely-branching growth habit with a generally round shape, dense foliage, an abundance of pink flowers borne on terminal panicles from summer into early fall, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Lagerstroemia indica xfauriei hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Lagerstroemia disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘Lipipetz’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘Lipipetz’ is a seedling selection resulting from the openpollination of Lagerstroemia hybrid ‘Hopi’ (not patented) performed bythe inventor at his commercial ornamental plant nursery in Coatesville,Pa. on Sep. 1, 2006. Having grown several varieties of Lagerstroemiathat performed well in his climate, the inventor endeavored to developnew cultivars with favorable gene expression using one such cultivar,Lagerstroemia hybrid ‘Hopi’, as the seed parent. Mature ‘Hopi’ plantswere grown in close proximity to a number of additional cultivars, tofacilitate cross pollination. Seed was subsequently collected from these‘Hopi’ plants, germinated, and the seedlings grown to a mature size inorder to evaluate the progeny for unique characteristics which may be ofcommercial value. In September of 2008, one such seedling was observedto possess a more compact growth habit relative to the parent plant andother progeny plants. The plant was isolated for propagation and furtherevaluation and given the name, ‘Lipipetz’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘Lipipetz’, by way ofsoftwood stem cuttings, was first performed in June of 2009 inCoatesville, Pa. Through three subsequent generations, the uniquefeatures of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Lipipetz’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘Lipipetz’. These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘Lipipetz’ as a new and distinct Lagerstroemia hybridcultivar:

-   -   1. Lagerstroemia ‘Lipipetz’ exhibits a compact, freely-branching        growth habit with dense foliage; and    -   2. Lagerstroemia ‘Lipipetz’ exhibits a generally round shape;        and    -   3. Lagerstroemia ‘Lipipetz’ exhibits an abundance of pink        flowers borne on terminal panicles from summer and into early        fall, weather depending; and    -   4. Lagerstroemia ‘Lipipetz’ exhibits lateral branches with        excellent cold hardiness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the original ‘Lipipetz’plant at approximately 10 years old, field-grown in Coatesville, Pa. Thephotograph was taken in late July and illustrates the summer bloomhabit.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the original ‘Lipipetz’plant at approximately 9 years old, field-grown in Coatesville, Pa. Thephotograph was taken in mid-September and illustrates the continuedblooming into late summer.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, a comparison of ‘Lipipetz’(right) with the parent plant, ‘Hopi’ (left). Both plants were rooted inmist chamber in mid-June of 2016 and grown in a 3 inch nursery pots, inan unheated poly greenhouse, until time of photo on Nov. 30, 2016. Ofnote is the more compact growth habit of ‘Lipipetz’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary inflorescenceof ‘Lipipetz’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in November of 2016and, unless otherwise indicated, describe a six month old potted‘Lipipetz’ plant grown in a poly greenhouse in Coatesville, Pa. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics willvary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘Lipipetz’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘Lipipetz’ and comparisons with the parentplants and most similar commercial Lagerstroemia cultivar known to theinventor are provided below.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial flowering shrub.        -   Plant shape.—Rounded.        -   Average height.—Approximately 125 cm when fully matured.        -   Average width.—Approximately 125 cm when fully matured.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Propagation details.—Asexual propagation may be accomplished            by both softwood and hardwood stem cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 21 days are required            to initiate roots from a softwood cutting; approximately 3            to 4 months are required for hardwood cuttings.        -   Time to produce a marketable rooted cutting.—Approximately 6            to 8 weeks when propagated in the spring.        -   Time to produce a marketable 1 gallon potted            plant.—Approximately 12 months.        -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither            tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of            Lagerstroemia have been observed.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to USDA Zones 5 to 11;            drought resistant once established.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense            rooting.        -   Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately            deep.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching habit.—One main stem, itself freely branching, and            giving rise to numerous lateral branches.        -   Aspect.—Average angle is approximately 60 degrees from main            stem.        -   Cross section.—Quadrangulate with small winged appendages            approximately 0.5 mm tall.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Length of lateral branches.—22.5 cm.        -   Diameter of lateral branches.—Averaging 0.25 cm at the base.        -   Internode length on lateral branches.—Approximately 1.25 to            2.5 cm.        -   Texture, pubescence and luster of lateral branches.—Smooth,            glabrous, and matte.        -   Color, juvenile.—A mixture of greyed-red, RHS 178A, and            greyed-orange, RHS 176A.        -   Color, mature.—A mixture of yellow-green, RHS 152A, and            greyed-brown; RHS 199A, 199B, and 199D.        -   Color at internodes.—Greyed-brown, RHS 199D.        -   Bark.—Exfoliating in stripes; color is brown, nearest to RHS            200B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Number of leaves per lateral branch.—24.        -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 4.6 cm long and 2.8 cm wide, on            average. Shape — Ovate. Aspect — Involute. Apex — Bluntly            acuminate. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Finely serrulate.            Pubescence, adaxial surface — Glabrous. Texture and luster            of adaxial surface — Smooth and moderately glossy.            Pubescence, abaxial surface — Glabrous. Texture and luster            of abaxial surface — Smooth and moderately glossy. Color —            Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to            RHS 146A, and finely margined greyed-red, RHS 178A. Juvenile            foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS 146B, and            suffused with greyed-red, RHS 178A, towards the margins and            apex. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — In between            yellow-green, RHS 147A, and green, RHS 137A. Mature foliage,            abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B.            Venation — Pattern — Pinnate. Color, adaxial surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 146A, and suffused with greyed-orange, RHS            176D, at the base and along the proximal one-third portion            of the midrib. Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS            146D, and suffused with greyed-orange, RHS 176B, at the            base.        -   Petiole.—Length — 1.0 mm. Width — 1.25 mm. Texture —            Glabrous; smooth. Luster — Moderately glossy. Strength —            Strong. Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS 146A, and            suffused with greyed-orange, RHS 176D. Color, abaxial            surface — Yellow-green, RHS 146D, and suffused with            greyed-orange, RHS 176B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Panicle.        -   Natural Flowering Season.—Late June through September in            Coatesville, Pa.        -   Flowering habit.—Some recurrent blooming on same panicle.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—Up to 150 mm long and 100 mm            across.        -   Inflorescence quantity.—One panicle occurring at the end of            every lateral branch.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—20 to 100 florets per            panicle.        -   Primary peduncle.—Attitude/aspect — 0 degrees to the lateral            branch; that is, the primary peduncle, as described herein,            is the terminal portion on the lateral branch. Dimensions —            95 mm long and 3.0 mm in diameter at the base. Color — A            mixture of greyed-red, RHS 178A, and greyed-orange, RHS            176A. Texture and luster of lateral branches — Glabrous, and            matte. Strength — Strong.        -   Secondary peduncles.—Attitude/aspect — At an angle of            approximately 30 to 45 degrees to the primary peduncle.            Dimensions — 23 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter. Color — A            mixture of greyed-red, RHS 178A, and greyed-orange, RHS            176A. Texture and luster — Finely pubescent and matte.            Strength — Moderately strong.        -   Pedicels.—Attitude/aspect — At an angle of approximately 30            degrees to the secondary peduncle. Dimensions — 5 mm long            and 0.75 mm in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144D, and            suffused with greyed-red, RHS 178A. Texture and luster —            Smooth, glabrous and matte. Strength — Moderately strong.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Bud shape.—Globose.        -   Bud dimensions.—6 to 7 mm long and 5.5 to 6.5 mm in            diameter.        -   Bud color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144D, and heavily suffused with            greyed-red, RHS 178A.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower type.—Perfect.        -   Flower shape.—Rotate.        -   Persistence.—Not persistent.        -   Flower aspect.—Outward facing.        -   Fragrance.—Not fragrant.        -   Perianth dimensions.—3.0 cm in diameter and 2.0 cm tall.        -   Calyx.—Calyx shape — Campanulate. Calyx dimensions — 6 to 7            mm in diameter and 5.5 to 6.5 mm deep. Sepals Sepal            arrangement — Rotate; fused at the base with 6 ovate sepal            lobes. Number of sepal lobes — 6. Sepal lobe margins —            Entire; not undulated. Sepal lobe apex — Acute. Sepal base —            Fused. Sepal texture — Smooth; glabrous. Sepal color, upper            surface — Yellow-green, RHS 144D, and lightly suffused with            greyed-red, RHS 178A. Sepal color, lower surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 144D, and lightly suffused with            greyed-red, RHS 178A.        -   Corolla.—Petal arrangement — Rotate; petals arranged in a            single whorl. Petal quantity — 6. Petals fused or unfused —            Unfused. Petal dimensions — Approximately 15 to 20 mm long            and 15 mm wide. Petal shape — Ovate. Petal apex — Rounded.            Petal base — Sagittate. Petal margin — Crenate; highly            undulated. Petal texture — Glabrous. Petal luster — Matte to            satiny. Petal color when opening (upper side) — Red, a            mixture of RHS 54C to 54D. Petal color when opening (under            side) — Red, nearest to RHS 54D. Petal color when fully            opened (upper side) — Red, nearest to RHS 54B. Petal color            when fully opened (under side) — Red, nearest to RHS 54B.            Petal color fading to — Not fading.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen quantity — 23 Filament — Dimensions —            Approximately 4 mm long and approximately 0.25 mm in            diameter. Color — Red, near RHS 36D, and suffused with red,            RHS 55B. Anther — Anther attachment — Dorsifixed. Anther            shape — Oblong. Anther size — 1.0 to 1.25 mm long and 0.75            mm in diameter. Anther color Yellow, RHS 13B. Pollen —            Amount of pollen — Moderately abundant. Pollen color —            Yellow, RHS 13B.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil quantity — One. Stigma — Shape — Round.            Dimensions — Approximately 0.75 mm across and 0.75 mm tall.            Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144C. Style — Dimensions — 5 mm            long and 0.5 mm in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144C.            Ovary — Position — Superior. Shape — Globose. Diameter —            2 mm. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144C.-   Seed and fruit: Globose, six-valved dehiscent capsule which is    approximately 6 mm in diameter and 6 mm long; color is yellow-green,    RHS 144B, and maturing to brown, RHS 200C. Seed has not been    observed.-   Comparison with the parent plant: Plants of the new cultivar    ‘Lipipetz’ may be distinguished from its parent, Lagerstroemia    ‘Hopi’ (not patented), which is also the most similar known    commercial comparator, by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘Lipipetz’ ‘Hopi’ Mature plant size. Smaller than‘Hopi’. Larger than ‘Lipipetz’. Internode length along Approximately1.25 Approximately 5 to the main stem. to 2.5 cm. 10 cm. Leaf size.Leaves are smaller. Leaves are larger. Rate of maturity of the Lateralbranches become Softwood is still present lateral branches. woody bylate summer. into early fall. Lateral branch More hardy than ‘Hopi’.Less hardy than hardiness. ‘Lipipetz’.

-   Comparison with the closest known commercial comparator: Plants of    the new cultivar ‘Lipipetz’ are similar in growth habit to the    commercial variety, Lagerstroemia ‘Velma's Royal Delight’ (not    patented). However, ‘Lipipetz’ differs from Velma's Royal Delight'    by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘Lipipetz’ ‘Velma's Royal Delight’ Mature plantsize. Approximately 125 cm Upwards of 180 to 250 tall and 125 cm wide.cm tall and 180 cm wide. General coloration Pink. Deep magenta. of theflower. Lateral branch More hardy than ‘Hopi’. Less hardy thanhardiness. ‘Lipipetz’.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lagerstroemia plant named ‘Lipipetz’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 